Intern, Childhelp Hotline

Position Summary

Provide crisis counseling and resources to help-seekers contacting the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline. Assists Clinical Program Manager and other Hotline Leaders in special projects. This is a minimum 2-semester commitment. This is an unpaid Intern position.

Essential Functions

Program Overview

• Complete a minimum of 40 hours of training in the first month of internship
• Participate in monthly ongoing training and/or meetings
• Be exposed to best counseling skills & practices used by our professionals to support help-seekers' mental health, safety and wellness
• Receive training in the child welfare system, evidence and trauma-informed crisis counseling skills and vicarious trauma

Research and Strategy

• Be assigned a topic area or geographic region of the US to research local resources relevant to the hotline
• Contact resources, gather pertinent information about service delivery and coordinate with Field Instructor to include in the National Hotline Database
• Help identify opportunities for program promotion and enhancement
• Opportunity to organize and co-facilitate crisis counselor education and groups to educate about and mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma

Hotline Services

• Provide crisis counseling, encompassing rapid rapport building, intervention through psychoeducation and emotional support
• Answer calls and assess/screen for needs
• Identify and connect callers with appropriate resources/services in the help seeker's community

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Knowledge/Understanding

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program (social work, counseling, clinical mental health, or related field), at an accredited academic college or university
• Must be 21 years of age
• Clear fingerprint and background screening

Skills

• Strong verbal, written and listening communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and positive professional demeanor appropriate to a child-friendly and family friendly atmosphere in a trauma-informed manner
• Proficient in the use of the internet, Windows environment, and in the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, and Teams
• Bilingual (Spanish) a plus but not required

Abilities

• Ability to perform effectively on an interpersonal team
• Ability to build rapport and garner trust with others
• Ability to work cooperatively and professionally within a multidisciplinary environment
• Able to adapt to potential situations of crisis and respond with appropriate interventions
• Able to maintain confidentiality of the children and families we serve
• Able to handle a variety of tasks, effectively prioritize and ensure follow-through
• Willingness and ability to embody Childhelp's core values of Acting with Honor and Character, Being Open and Receptive, Caring About and Relating to Others; Nurturing Diverse Relationships; Performance Excellence; and Inspirational Leading & Managing